Top Study Abroad Destinations Beyond Canada

After multiple changes announced by the IRCC for student visas in Canada, many Indian students are exploring alternative study destinations to pursue their dream of higher education. Reputation of the education system, university rankings, and program accreditation are some of the important factors to consider when choosing a study destination.

Recent policy changes by the Canadian government have significantly impacted the study abroad plans of many Indian students. From cutting Canada study permits by 10% for 2025 to discontinuation of the Student Direct Stream, such changes have made it more difficult for students to secure study permits. Due to this, many students are now exploring alternatives to Canada.

Note that, Indian students can still apply for a study permit through a regular process suggested by IRCC’s website. Also, Canadian universities are accepting applications from international students. In a hypothetical situation where Canadian universities are no longer accepting Indian students, so what are the options available for them? This article will help you find top study-abroad destinations beyond Canada after the SDS update.

Key Factors for Choosing a Study Abroad Destination

Canada is one of the popular study destinations among international students. It hosts the highest number of Indian students globally, with an impressive figure of 427,000 currently enrolled in Canadian universities. Following closely behind, the United States hosts 337,630 Indian students, while the UK welcomes 85,000 students from India. It is expected that in 2025 this number will increase, so, here are some factors that will directly help you to select your study destination:

Education System and University Reputation

The first and foremost factor is the reputation of that country's education system and university. Your degree will be a lifelong credential, so choosing a university that aligns with your academic aspirations is crucial. Check the ranking of the university and online reviews. Also, ask former students on different platforms like Reddit, Quora or Linkedin.

Explore university websites to gain insights into faculty expertise, research opportunities, and curriculum details. By carefully considering these factors, you can make an informed decision about the best study-abroad destination and university.

Related Reads

Best Education System in the World	Education System in Canada
US Education System	Education System in New Zealand

Cost of Living and Studying

The second important factor is living expenses and tuition fees. It is important to know the amount that you need to study in a country. Tuition fees can vary between countries and institutions. Canada is less expensive than the USA and UK but more expensive than Germany, Norway and more. Here we have mentioned a table that will give you an overview of expenses in different countries:

Countries Abroad	Avg Tuition Fee to Study Abroad	Avg Cost of Living Abroad
USA	INR 23.76 Lakhs	INR 10.5 Lakhs
New Zealand	INR 17.5 Lakhs	INR 8.5 Lakhs
UK	INR 15.5 Lakhs	INR 10 Lakhs
Australia	INR 21.40 Lakhs	INR 11.5 lakhs
Canada	INR 15.5 Lakhs	INR 12.5 Lakhs
Singapore	INR 20.5 Lakhs	INR 12.5 Lakhs
Ireland	INR 15.5 Lakhs	INR 9.5 Lakhs
UAE	INR 10.5 Lakhs	INR 4.5 Lakhs
Sweden	INR 11.5 Lakhs	INR 8 lacs
Germany	INR 13.5 K	INR 11.5 Lakhs

By carefully analyzing this table, you can make an informed decision about the most suitable study destination based on your budget and financial priorities.

Related Reads:

Cost of Living in Dubai	Cost of Living in UK	Cost of Living in Japan
Cost of Living in USA	Cost of Living in Australia	Cost of Living in Singapore

Student Visa Policies and Post-Study Work Rules

Another important factor is student visa policies. You are considering study destinations beyond Canada primarily due to recent changes in student visa policy. The country you select must have a streamlined and efficient study visa process.

Also, there are multiple countries including the UK, Australia and more that offer post-study work permit to international students. This allows them to gain valuable work experience. The duration of a PSWP (Post Study Work Permit) depends on the immigration rules of the country.

Cultural Experience and Language Barriers

Canada is considered as the second home of Indian students, due to the Indian Diaspora in the country. Indian students feel the cultural shock when they choose to study abroad. Today, you'll find Indian communities in various study destinations, easing the transition

Language barriers can be a challenge, but preparation for language proficiency exams like IELTS or TOEFL can help bridge the gap. Additionally, many universities offer language courses to assist international students in adapting to the local language. Here are some popular language proficiency tests:

PTE Exam	Duolingo English Exam
DELF and DALF	DSH - German Language Proficiency

Top Study Abroad Destinations Beyond Canada

As mentioned earlier, the USA, UK, Australia and Germany are the popular study destinations where most Indian students are studying. According to the government of India, a total 1.3 million students are studying abroad in different countries. Here are the top 5 countries with the highest number of students:

Study Destinations	Number of Indian Students
Canada	427,000
USA	337,630
United Kingdom	185,000
Australia	122,202
Germany	42,997

According to this table, 687,829 Indian students are studying in USA, UK, Australia and Germany. This is nearly 50% of total number of Indian students studying abroad. Now let’s understand this in detail.

Why Study in UK?

It is known to all that UK is one of the best countries for Indian students to study abroad, but here are some top reasons to study in UK over Canada:

• Top-ranked universities: UK universities consistently rank among the top global institutions with over highly recognized degrees.
• Availability of Diverse Courses: UK offers a wide range of academic programs, from undergraduate to doctoral levels, across diverse fields like law, business, humanities, and medicine:
• Short Duration: Courses offered by universities in UK are often shorter. This allows students to complete their degrees faster and save on costs.
• Post-Study Work Opportunities: UK allows you to stay 2 to 5 years after completing your study while in Canada you can stay up to 3 years only.

Top Ranked Universities in UK

Here are some of the top universities in the UK, some of them are in the list of 10 best universities in the world:

Universities in UK	QS World University Rankings 2025
Imperial College London	#2
University of Oxford	#3
University of Cambridge	#5
UCL	#9

Why Study in Australia?

Australia offers a compelling study abroad destination for Indian students. 1 Its world-class universities, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant multicultural cities make it an attractive choice.  Here are some reasons to study in Australia:

• Post-Study Work Opportunities: After completing your studies in Australia, you can typically stay for between 18 months and 4 years depending on your qualifications.
• Vibrant Cities and Friendly Locals: Australia offers breathtaking natural landscapes and outdoor adventures, making it easy for international students to feel welcome and supported.

Top Universities in Australia

Here are some of the top universities in Australia:

Australian Universities	QS World Universities Rankings 2025
Australian National University	#30
The University of Melbourne	#13
The University of Sydney	#18
The University of New South Wales	#19
The University of Queensland	#40

Why Study in USA?

The USA stands as a global leader in higher education and is home to some of the top 5 universities in the world. Students can explore a multitude of academic disciplines, from STEM fields to humanities and arts. Additionally, a US degree is highly recognized worldwide, opening doors to exciting career prospects. Here are some reasons to study in USA:

• Career Opportunities: A US degree is highly recognized worldwide, opening doors to exciting career opportunities in various industries.
• Top Notch Research Opportunities: Universities in USA offer research opportunities to students. Also, opportunities to work with leading experts in their fields.
• High-Paying Jobs: USA pays higher for many job profiles, some of which are Software engineers, Physicians, Management consultants, and Investment bankers.

Top Universities in USA

Here are some of the top universities in USA:

Universities in The USA	QS World University Rank 2025
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	1
Harvard University	4
University of Cambridge	5
Stanford University	6
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)	10

Why Study in Germany?

Germany is famous for offering low or no cost education. The education system of Germany is highly subsidized. German public universities don't charge any penny as a tuition fee. This makes it a significantly more cost-effective option compared to studying in Canada. Also, you can find multiple traditional and trending courses offered by public and private universities in Germany. Here are some reasons to study in Germany:

• Diverse Range of Courses: There is a large number of Bachelors, Masters, PhD, language and certificate courses tailor-made to suit the preference of most students wanting to study in Germany.
• No Language Barrier, English-Taught Programs: You do not need to learn German for your higher studies in Germany as most of the programs are English-taught.
• Public Universities are Highly Subsidized:  Public Universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees but have an administration fee that needs to be paid at the start of every semester.

Top Universities in Germany

Here are some of the top universities in Germany

German Universities	QS World University Rankings 2025
Technical University of Munich	28
Ludwig Maximilians University Munich	59
Heidelberg University	84
Free University of Berlin	97
RWTH Aachen University	99

Apart from this, there are some other countries where you can pursue your desired courses. It is advisable to do extensive research and explore as many as information you want. Rememeber, it's an important decision of your life, so take your time and choose wisely.

That's all about the topic. If you have any query related to this topic or study abroad feel free to connect with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.